Amyloidosis isn’t caused by foods that a person eats, and diet changes can’t prevent or treat this condition. However, diet can play a role in your health with amyloidosis, especially if you have complications. A complication is a health condition that develops alongside another disease or its treatments.

In this article, we’ll cover foods you may need to limit or avoid if you develop certain complications of amyloidosis. As always, your healthcare team knows the details of your condition best, and you can ask them for a referral to a dietitian.

Types of Amyloidosis and Complications

In amyloidosis, the body makes abnormal amyloid proteins. These proteins form plaques or deposits that build up in different tissues, causing damage. Complications happen when amyloid plaques get in the way of how organs normally work.

Different types of amyloidosis affect the body in different ways. Here are the main types of amyloidosis and the organ systems (groups of organs) each tends to affect:

• AL amyloidosis (primary amyloidosis) — Affects the heart, kidneys, nervous system, and digestive system
• AA amyloidosis (secondary amyloidosis) — Affects the kidneys, digestive system, liver, and spleen
• Hereditary amyloidosis — Affects the heart, eyes, kidney, and nervous system
• Wild-type transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis — Affects the heart and nervous system
• Dialysis-related amyloidosis — Affects the bones and joints

You may need to change your diet depending on how amyloidosis affects your body. But it’s important to talk to your doctor before cutting out a lot of foods, as this could lead to missing key nutrients. If your doctor thinks it would help to avoid certain foods, you can ask for a referral to a registered dietitian. Avoiding specific foods or ingredients can be challenging. A dietitian can help you plan a balanced diet that fits your dietary goals.

What Foods Cause Amyloid Plaques?

There are no foods that directly cause amyloid plaques. Amyloid proteins are made by the body — they’re very different from the protein found in food. Food doesn’t cause amyloidosis. Eating protein from a variety of healthy sources, such as poultry, fish, and beans, is essential for good health.

Most people with amyloidosis don’t need to worry about eating too much protein. However, people with kidney problems may need to limit protein to help prevent further kidney damage. This is an example of how your diet may need to change based on the type of complications you have from amyloidosis.

Foods To Avoid

Some people with amyloidosis complications may need to restrict or avoid these foods altogether. Your healthcare team can tell you what’s best for you.

1. Processed Foods

Several types of amyloidosis affect the kidneys and the heart. The kidneys help the body filter waste and remove extra fluid. When amyloid deposits form in the kidneys, they can cause kidney damage. As a result, the kidneys stop working as well. If not treated, this can progress to kidney disease and eventually kidney failure. Kidney problems can also cause other complications, like swelling and high levels of fat in the blood.

You may need to eat less salt (sodium) to protect your kidneys. Most people eat too much sodium. Keep in mind that most of the salt we eat doesn’t come from a saltshaker — it’s added during food processing. That’s why cutting back on processed foods is important.

Replacing processed foods in your diet with less processed foods, especially fresh fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed whole grains, can help lower your sodium intake.

Here are some tips for cutting back on salt:

• Choose low-sodium ingredients and cook meals at home rather than eating fast food or restaurant meals when possible.
• Check the sodium content on the nutrition facts label to compare sodium levels in different products.
• A long ingredient list — especially if it’s full of words you can’t pronounce — can be a sign of highly processed food.
• If you buy canned beans or vegetables, rinse them with water to remove some of the sodium.
• Look for “no salt added” versions of canned foods or frozen foods.

Cutting back on high-sodium processed foods can help reduce swelling. It’s also better for your heart, since salt intake can raise blood pressure in some people. Your doctor can give you a specific sodium target, and a dietitian can help you understand how to reach that goal in your daily meals.

2. High-Fat Animal Protein

If you have kidney complications, you may also need to watch your protein intake. Protein can leave behind waste products after digestion, which are removed by the kidneys. If your kidneys have been damaged by amyloidosis and you eat too much protein at once, your kidneys may struggle to keep up. Eating smaller portions of protein and sticking to leaner sources can be better for overall health and prevent further kidney damage.

Saturated fat, which is found in fatty cuts of meat, can also be a problem for people with kidney dysfunction or heart problems. When the kidneys aren’t working correctly, blood levels of these unhealthy fats can go up. This increases your risk of a heart attack.

Try to avoid animal meats, like bacon and higher-fat cuts of steak and ground beef, to cut back on both protein and saturated fat. Instead, choose lean proteins and plant-based proteins (like lean meat, soybeans, and nuts). These choices are better for your overall health.

3. Too Much Fluid

Kidney damage can also make it hard for the kidneys to remove extra fluid. This may lead to swelling, tiredness, and shortness of breath. If this becomes a problem for you, you may need to drink fewer liquids. This is known as having a fluid restriction.

Fluids include water, soda, coffee, tea, alcohol, and other drinks. Some doctors suggest limiting fluids to about 6 cups of liquids per day if you’re on a fluid restriction. Ask your doctor what a safe fluid level may look like for you. If you’re on a fluid restriction, you’ll need to take extra care to make sure you don’t get dehydrated.

People with heart complications may also need to watch their fluid intake. This is because amyloidosis can lead to congestive heart failure, which means the heart can’t pump blood as well. Congestive heart failure causes fluid buildup, which needs to be controlled by monitoring your sodium and fluid intake, watching out for water weight gain, and taking medications called diuretics or “water pills” to rid the body of excess water.

4. Spicy and Acidic Foods

When amyloidosis affects your gastrointestinal tract (digestive system), it can cause uncomfortable symptoms like:

• Trouble swallowing
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Gas
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

If you’re dealing with these symptoms, avoiding foods that irritate your digestive system may help you feel better.

For example, foods that can trigger or worsen acid reflux (heartburn) include:

• Spicy foods, like chili powder
• Citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits
• Tomato-based foods, like pasta sauce

Spicy food can also cause stomach pain for some people. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out what’s bothering your stomach. Try writing down what you eat every day, and make a note of any symptoms. Over time, you may start to see patterns. This can help you identify specific foods that trigger your symptoms. A dietitian can also help guide you in finding meals that feel good and support your health.

Remember, a healthy diet requires a variety of foods. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it’s best to avoid overly restricting your diet.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyAmyloidosisTeam is the social network for people with amyloidosis. On MyAmyloidosisTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with amyloidosis.

How does amyloidosis affect your food choices and quality of life? Do you follow a specific diet or avoid certain food groups because of amyloidosis complications? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.